Hi,
I came across this site in my search for some advice on any possible photography career that I may have. A quick brief history:
I have always had an interest in photography but the gift of a Canon 400D really helped me develop as a photographer and take it more seriously. My job involves travelling a lot and this has also helped. A website of my general shots is at:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/oasis
Recently I have taken up my interests in concert photography and had some reasonable success. I started with getting some shots with a point and shoot in concerts. A bit of luck and I got a great shot of Bono. I guess this helped me to start taking shots for a local online website called fasterlouder.com.au. I have used this as a great chance to practice and after a handful of gigs got a chance to photograph for the equivalent of Billboard. I did my first gig for them last night and it turned out not too bad and have some big gigs lined up. I feel like it has been a fairly rapid rise which I am quite chuffed about. My music orientated website is:
My question now is that Im not quite sure where to keep going. Are most people on here doing gigs for free (like me) and just enjoying it. I mean I will soon be photographing some of the industries biggest acts and I should be glad. However its a bit of a pain you can only stay for 3 songs normally.
Many photographers have their own sites as I do, but are they actively pursuing selling photos. I have tried to contact bands and the either use it for free (because I am nice and they are small), or they dont reply. Its not that Im in this to make money but I seriosuly need to upgrade from my Canon 400D and some funds to help wouldnt go astray and people always say "You must be earning great money now?' Umm nope im not but its fun!
Any advice or coments on my confusion much appreciated. Thanks
Chris
free work
Working for free is your problem.
When you work for free, pretty much anyone is going to let you in. They have nothing to lose; they get free images, no matter the quality, to use in their publication. They don't have to pay a working photographer anything to get theses images.
You are only worth what you say you're worth. If you say you're worth nothing, then that's what you will get- nothing. Breaking from the world of free to paid is not an easy task. You need to talk to the right people, market yourself in a good manner, and have a solid portfolio.
Try getting in as a paid freelancer for a small local newspaper. If that doesn't work, talk to small venues and see if they are willing you to pay you for an hour or two of work in exchange for a few images for their website. There's really no way for you to go from shooting for free to shooting for loads of money to afford buying a new camera. Got to work up the ranks and prove yourself.
Remember, there's a thousand other people who want the same thing that you do. The difference is, they are still willing to do it for free. That's whats making the money so scarce. Too many people working for free, just for image credit in some publication.
Hi, Thanks for the reply.
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. yeah I totally see your point. For me it was about starting slowly and working up to eventaually, if I am good enough, to perhaps earn money. Im not stupid enough to have pro quality prints given away for nothing. However, at least in Australia, it is hard to even get the no pay gigs. I feel I have made a rapid rise in that in 6 months I did my first gig at a tiny pub to doing Stevie Wonder and Rihanna soon at a large sports stadium. Im hoping good shots of these names might enable me to make the next step.
As for 'image credit' im over that now:) See your name once and thats cool, but you soon get used to it.
How to make money from music business photographs
It is good you realize that credit isn't all it is cracked up to be. You can't pay rent, buy groceries, pay the cell phone bill, etc, with photo credit. As has already been said, you are only worth as much as you ask for. And giving free use tells people that is what you think you are worth. It sets a dangerous precedent for yourself and for other photographers.
We all start out shooting local bands for little or no money. Use that as stepping stone to hone your craft and build a portfolio that will get you better work that pays. Over time your older portfolio will get replaced with a better one, which will get you even better work. The cycle has to continue in order to eventually be able to pay the bills from photography.
Also diversify yourself. Music photography isn't just shooting concerts. Also do promotional shoots for bands. Shoot editorial work for publications that are writing articles on bands. This is where you start to earn "fair" money. Try to get assignments from publications to shoot concerts and band portraits. That insures before you ever leave the house that you are getting paid. Stop shooting on speculation unless you have a fantastic opportunity (such as Stevie Wonder, Rihanna, etc) that will build up your portfolio.
Also remember that there are a whole host of other sources of income related to the music industry. There are instrument makers, equipment makers, promoters, recording studios, venues, producers, merchandisers, etc. Also branch into other genres of music - jazz, blues, classical, opera, stage performances, etc. Rock isn't the only genre of music that needs promotion through fine imagery.
Learn all the rules about how you can and cannot license your images. You don't want to get in trouble for licensing uses you are not legally permitted to license. Also learn to build up a really good, trusting relationship with artists and their managers. There is no better way to get access to music artists than to earn their trust and build up a lasting relationship with them. It is highly unlikely you will get lots of access to an artist who is really big unless you have built up a relationship with them along the way. Ross Halfin is a good example. Led Zeppelin still calls him to shoot for them and he started shooting them back in the 1970's. Jim Marshall is another fine example.
Walter Rowe Photography
Columbia, Maryland - USA
We have gig photographers
We have gig photographers here who have been doing it for 20years and are barely living 'comfortably'....(unless your a household name like Tony Mott)
Like stated above, you have to branch out and cover things apart from just the gigs & network with the right people.....I've seen plenty of non talented people surpass me because they have the business skills - something I lack
And soon as you have a decent portfolio, steer away from FasterLouder once you can get the passes through your own means
www.dbedford.com - Sydney Based Events Photographer
Thanks so much for the
Thanks so much for the replies. Really appreciated. Helping to give me a target.
Hopefully soon, if things continue, I should have a very workable portfolio. I feel like I am becoming much better at getting the shots quicker and under pressure. I am self taught and have just been very keen which is paying dividends now.
I havent really considered other types of photography when it comes to bands. I guess underneath I dont think Im that artostic but I must be to some degree to get the shots Im getting. I have a couple of options for band that I know that perhaps I could start thinking about.
Thanks again